The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has warned that the severe water shortage in the Gaza Strip has reached critical levels, as only one in 10 people currently have access to safe drinking water, or 90% of the population.

According to the website, UNICEF official in Gaza, Rosalia Poulin, reported that 600,000 people regained access to drinking water in November 2024, but it was cut off again.

UN agencies estimate that 1.8 million people, more than half of whom are children, urgently need water, sanitation and health assistance, stressing that the situation has deteriorated further after the decision to cut off electricity to the Strip, which led to the disruption of vital water desalination operations.